Denis Shafikov

Denis Fuatovich Shafikov (Russian: Денис Фуатович Шафиков, Bashkir: Шафиҡов Денис Фуат улы, romanized: Şafiqov Denis Fuat ulı; born 3 June 1985) is a Russian professional boxer. He held the European super-lightweight title from 2011 to 2013, and has challenged three times for the IBF lightweight title. In November 2017, Shafikov was ranked within the world's top ten active lightweights by The Ring magazine, the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and BoxRec.

Denis Shafikov
Денис Шафиков
Shafikov in 2011
Statistics
Real nameDenis Fuatovich Shafikov
Nickname(s)Genghis Khan
Weight(s)
Height1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Reach174 cm (69 in)
NationalityRussian
Born (1985-06-03) 3 June 1985
Miass, Chelyabinsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights46
Wins40
Wins by KO20
Losses4
Draws2

Early life and amateur career

Born into a Bashkir family, Shafikov did not immediately take a liking to boxing when trying out different sports in childhood. He nonetheless began his amateur boxing career at 13 years old, in which he had "about 90 amateur fights and lost only 6 of them." His decision to turn professional was based on wanting to earn money for his family, rather than medals.[1]

Professional career

Shafikov has been trained by Abel Sanchez since 2015.[2] He made his professional debut on 30 November 2003, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Pavel Lyakhov, who also debuted. For the next eleven years, Shafikov would remain undefeated while fighting mainly in Finland, having moved there in 2007.[1] On 29 October 2010, he fought to a majority draw against Brunet Zamora, with the regional WBA Inter-Continental light-welterweight title on the line. A year later, on 23 September 2011, Shafikov won his first major regional championship—the European light-welterweight title—by forcing veteran contender Giuseppe Lauri to retire in his corner.[3] Two successful defences of the title were made in 2012: the first was against Lee McAllister on 25 February, which ended in an eighth-round corner retirement.[4] The second was a rematch with Zamora on 31 May, which Shafikov won via unanimous decision.[5]

Shafikov vs. Vasquez

On 22 February 2014, Shafikov travelled to Macau to face IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vázquez. In what was described as a "lightweight title fight that completely sucked the air out of [the] venue" due to "clinching, headbutts and lots of other matters that don't quite reflect actual fighting", Vázquez went on to hand Shafikov his first professional loss in a lacklustre unanimous decision.[6]

Shafikov vs. Barthelemy

The following year, on 18 December, Shafikov received another opportunity to fight for the vacant IBF lightweight title, this time against Rances Barthelemy, but lost again via unanimous decision.[7]

Shafikov vs. Herring

Shafikov returned on 2 July 2016 in emphatic style, beating down and stopping undefeated lightweight prospect Jamel Herring in the tenth and final round.[8]

Shafikov vs. Easter Jr

On 30 June 2017, in his third world title challenge, Shafikov lost a competitive unanimous decision against IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr., in a hard-hitting slugfest.[9] The scorecards read 120-108, 120-108 and 116-112 in favour of Easter Jr.[10]

Shafikov vs. Alvarado

In his next bout, Shafikov faced Rene Alvarado, who was ranked #10 by the WBA at super featherweight. Shafikov lost the fight via split decision.[11]

Personal life

Despite his nickname of "Genghis Khan", Shafikov is of Bashkir rather than Mongol ethnicity. The nickname was given to him by his Finnish promoter Pekka Mäki, with Shafikov saying that he wants to "conquer the world as Genghis Khan did." His favourite boxers include Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao.[1]

Professional boxing record
46 fights 40 wins 4 losses
By knockout 20 0
By decision 19 4
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
46 Draw 40–4–2 Gaybatulla Gadzhialiev MD 10 9 Feb 2019 Galaktika Culture Centre, Estosadok, Russia
45 Win 40–4–1 Jhon Gemino UD 10 21 Jul 2018 Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia
44 Win 39–4–1 Hector Ruben Ambriz Suarez UD 8 6 Jun 2018 Avalon Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, US
43 Loss 38–4–1 René Alvarado SD 10 9 Dec 2017 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
42 Loss 38–3–1 Robert Easter Jr. UD 12 30 Jun 2017 Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio, US For IBF lightweight title
41 Win 38–2–1 Richard Commey SD 12 7 Dec 2016 Tough Fight Gym, Moscow, Russia
40 Win 37–2–1 Jamel Herring TKO 10 (10), 0:36 2 Jul 2016 Santander Arena, Reading, Pennsylvania, US
39 Loss 36–2–1 Rances Barthelemy UD 12 18 Dec 2015 Pearl Concert Theater, Paradise, Nevada, US For vacant IBF lightweight title
38 Win 36–1–1 Roy Mukhlis TKO 3 (10), 1:14 17 Jul 2015 Cotai Arena, Macau, SAR
37 Win 35–1–1 Miguel Angel Mendoza UD 8 13 Dec 2014 Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US
36 Win 34–1–1 Rustam Nugaev TKO 9 (12), 1:16 15 Aug 2014 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, US
35 Loss 33–1–1 Miguel Vázquez UD 12 22 Feb 2014 Cotai Arena, Macau, SAR For IBF lightweight title
34 Win 33–0–1 Santos Benavides TKO 7 (10), 0:10 17 Aug 2013 Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, US
33 Win 32–0–1 Alisher Rahimov DQ 11 (12), 2:24 16 Mar 2013 Sports Palace "Znamya", Noginsk, Russia Won WBC Baltic and vacant WBC–CISBB lightweight titles;
Rahimov disqualified for repeated low blows
32 Win 31–0–1 Albert Mensah UD 12 1 Dec 2012 Parque Andres Quintana Roo, Cozumel, Mexico Won IBF International and vacant WBC Baltic light-welterweight titles
31 Win 30–0–1 James Onyango UD 8 18 Sep 2012 Varshavka Sky, Moscow, Russia
30 Win 29–0–1 Brunet Zamora UD 12 31 May 2012 Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia Retained European light-welterweight title
29 Win 28–0–1 Lee McAllister RTD 8 (12), 0:01 25 Feb 2012 AECC, Aberdeen, Scotland Retained European light-welterweight title
28 Win 27–0–1 Giuseppe Lauri RTD 8 (12), 3:00 23 Sep 2011 Ice Hall, Helsinki, Finland Won vacant European light-welterweight title
27 Win 26–0–1 Nugzar Margvelashvili TKO 5 (8), 1:53 4 Mar 2011 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland
26 Draw 25–0–1 Brunet Zamora MD 12 29 Oct 2010 Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russia For WBA Inter-Continental light-welterweight title
25 Win 25–0 Peter Semo UD 8 4 Sep 2010 Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland
24 Win 24–0 Leonardo Resendiz RTD 6 (8), 3:00 22 Jul 2010 Restaurant Orizzonte, Jūrmala, Latvia
23 Win 23–0 Bobir Normatov KO 1 (8), 1:05 30 Jun 2010 Club "East-West", Saint Petersburg, Russia
22 Win 22–0 Fernando Trejo UD 12 24 Oct 2009 Urheilutalo, Helsinki, Finland Won vacant IBO Inter-Continental light-welterweight title
21 Win 21–0 Aliaksei Volchan TKO 2 (10), 1:26 25 Sep 2009 Atmosphere Night Club, Saint Petersburg, Russia
20 Win 20–0 John Cotterill, Jr. TKO 1 (8), 2:00 30 May 2009 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland
19 Win 19–0 Juan Carlos Rodriguez UD 8 18 Apr 2009 Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland
18 Win 18–0 Decho Kokietgym TKO 2 (8), 1:00 14 Feb 2009 Pyynikin palloiluhalli, Tampere, Finland
17 Win 17–0 Raul Horacio Balbi TD 6 (8), 0:28 28 Nov 2008 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland Unanimous TD after Balbi cut from accidental head clash
16 Win 16–0 Andrzej Sark TKO 2 (8), 2:15 30 Aug 2008 LänsiAuto Areena, Tampere, Finland
15 Win 15–0 Shawn Gallegos UD 10 18 Apr 2008 Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland
14 Win 13–1 Sergejs Savrinovics RTD 3 (8), 3:00 1 Feb 2008 Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland
13 Win 13–0 Alexander Saltykov KO 4 (10) 20 Dec 2007 Favorit Gym, Vyborg, Russia
12 Win 12–0 Nizar Boubaker TKO 2 (8), 1:08 22 Oct 2007 Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland
11 Win 11–0 Cristian Frias UD 8 18 May 2007 Urheilutalo, Helsinki, Finland
10 Win 10–0 Vitaly Olkhovik TKO 2 (6) 17 Nov 2006 Zimniy Stadion, Saint Petersburg, Russia
9 Win 9–0 Alexander Saltykov RTD 7 (8), 3:00 21 Jul 2006 Vyborg Castle, Vyborg, Russia
8 Win 8–0 Leonti Vorontsuk UD 4 18 Dec 2005 Central Culture Palace, Vyborg, Russia
7 Win 7–0 Andrei Sherel KO 2 (6) 11 May 2005 Minsk, Belarus
6 Win 6–0 Pavel Melnikov UD 8 11 Feb 2005 Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russia
5 Win 5–0 Uladzimir Narushevich TKO 1 (6) 9 Dec 2004 Reaktor Club, Minsk, Belarus
4 Win 4–0 Filip Bystrikov UD 6 16 Jun 2004 State Circus, Minsk, Belarus
3 Win 3–0 Leonti Vorontsuk UD 4 15 May 2004 Parc Kronstadt, Saint Petersburg, Russia
2 Win 2–0 Vadzim Astapuk UD 4 25 Feb 2004 Reaktor Club, Minsk, Belarus
1 Win 1–0 Pavel Lyakhov UD 4 30 Nov 2003 Vyborg, Russia

References
  1. Wainwright, Anson (2012). "Denis Shafikov: "I want to conquer the world as Djingis Khan did."". Max Boxing. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  2. Kim, Steve (6 July 2015). "Abel Sanchez Has 'A Monster' in Denis Shafikov". BoxingScene. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  3. Persson, Per Ake (23 September 2011). "Denis Shafikov Stops Giuseppe Lauri, Wins EBU Belt". BoxingScene. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  4. Smallwood, Jimmy (25 February 2012). "Lee McAllister loses European title fight against Denis Shafikov". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  5. "Shafikov wins rematch over Zamora" Archived 2016-04-04 at the Wayback Machine. fightnews.com. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  6. Donovan, Jake (22 February 2014) "Zou Shiming Wins By TKO, Vazquez Decisions Shafikov". BoxingScene. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  7. Campbell, Brian (19 December 2015). "Rances Barthelemy beats Denis Shafikov via unanimous decision". ESPN. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  8. Collins, Nigel (3 July 2016). "Denis Shafikov defeats previously unbeaten Jamel Herring by TKO". ESPN. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  9. Idec, Keith (July 1, 2017). "Easter Fends Off Shafikov, Wins Unanimous Decision to Keep Title". BoxingScene. Retrieved 3 2017.
  10. "Easter Jr vs Shafikov - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  11. "Shafikov vs Alvarado - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
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